On February 26, 1993, Osama bin Laden got the attention of the United States

when he funded an attempted attack on the World Trade Center.

The attack later revealed a more intricate network of supposed terrorist training camps

and the terrorist organization known as Al Qaeda or the base.

The US was poised to go after him when a change of power changed the priorities.

That is until late summer 2001 when he became America's number one enemy.

From audio boom and world media rights, this is Covert, a podcast about the shadowy world

of international espionage and top secret military operations. I'm Jamie Rennell.

Last episode we went into bin Laden's upbringing and his transformation from wealthy idealist

to international terrorist. But what was the impact of 9-11 on the CIA?

How did intelligence services track down the most elusive criminal on a plan?

And why did it take so long? This is the killing of Osama bin Laden, part two.

At 8.30am workers began to arrive at the World Trade Center twin towers.

The towers were the tallest buildings in New York City.

Housed inside were the offices of hundreds of international businesses, banks, and media companies.

A complex so large that it had its own zip code.

The twin towers are gone, replaced by a plume of smoke and ash.

Flight 11 from Portland, Maine, hit the North Tower between floors 93 and 99.

Just came up, swirled, aimed right into it.

Everyone onboard the plane, along with hundreds inside the building, were instantly killed.

That's the one of the world trade centers collapsing. This is the first trade center going down.

On the ground, crowds of New Yorkers watched in disbelief as the plane flew straight into the building.

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